What are you currently trying/testing?

Greetings everyone! Hope everyone is having a positive summer so far. As the title says, what are you currently trying or testing? My response is down below.

Even on a limited buying period, I was able to sneak in one Armani Eyes To Kill intense eye shadow. Overall, it's fun to play with. Personal preference is to pick up the product with a clean finger and apply. Seems to work better that way first. Then going in with a brush if needed. It can be used underneath or on top of other eye shadows to create unique color effects. This has been one of my go tos for lazy eye makeup or to amp up a look this summer. The only downside: price. Although debatable since there seems to be a lot of packed product in the jar.

Typically, tampering with my skincare usually ends up being disastrous. However since I was borderline on free shipping (verge of the total being 50 anyway) from Shu Uemura, I decided to give the Ultime8 cleansing oil a try. Helps there was a discount promotion too.

So far not too bad. I am also wondering if the ingredients are actually beneficial or just marketing hype. Not sure if I would buy again (tend to like the performance and price of the A/I formula better). If all else fails, I can use the Ultime8 for the body instead. It's only been a day so far so maybe my mind will change from there.

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I'm currently testing some skincare products and was wondering how long is generally a good time to give skincare to see if it works or not? I'm just finishing day 4 of the Ole Henriksen 3 Little Wonders 7 day trial Sephora gave VIB/Rouge in store, as well as on day 2 of a sample container of Dream Cream from Lush. I HATE both of them. The Ole Henriksen leaves my face feeling greasy for 4 hours after I apply it and the Dream Cream is greasy all day (plus it smells disgusting). However, the gross feeling (and smell) would be worth it if I saw some improvement. On my face, I've got fine and deep lines, some uneven skin tone and some redness in my cheeks and across the bridge of my nose, occasional acne and large-ish pores. On my arms (where I'm using the Dream Cream), I've got KP. I haven't seen any improvement yet in either. I've told myself I should use up both samples, but if there's no hope after a certain point I certainly don't want to keep using them.

That being said, any recommendations that might sink in a little better? I've used pretty cheap moisturizers up until this point (Aveeno and Jergens are on my nightstand at the moment) but I never had problems with them leaving me greasy like this more expensive stuff does.

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I havent tested new skincare items for a really long time now and today I've started testing out Tata Harper products! I'm so excited!! I have the resurfacing mask on right now. Its my first time trying it, I have to leave it on for 20-30 minutes.

The sales woman at Neiman Marcos was *very* generous, I had quite a chat with her about natural products and showed great interest in the brand and she gave me a handful of samples yay!! Tata Harper products are not cheap so I'm very thankful that I get to try a few samples to see if I like it first. I think the mask is the cheapest thing in the skincare line (55 bucks but you only get 1 oz)..everything else costs a lot more. I might try one of the face creams after I wash off the mask....I want to try the Repairative Moisturizer first because its for dry skin and my skin has been a bit dry lately.

SO excited!!!!

I've also been testing out my 100 point perks from Sephora: MUFE eyeliner and MUFE HD setting powder.

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I have been trying Wen and I am super impressed. My hair is so finicky, but with all the hype I had to try it once we got it in. My hair feels smooth, silky and has more body. Also, I've always had to wash my hair everyday because the next day my ends would be dry and my crown would be oily. Talk about worst of both worlds! Now my feel feels just as great the next day, so I've cut down on washing it. Now the absolute BEST thing is when I went to get my hair cut, my stylist put her hands in my hair and said "Your hair is thicker. What are you doing?". Ok.....SOLD!

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I couldn't agree more with Keely, Wen is definitely a winner for me too! Since using my starter kit I've noticed that my hair is softer and insanely hydrated. My hair has been growing like crazy since I started using it about two months ago. My hair stylist was really impressed with how healthy my hair was during my last visit.

I just started using Clinique's Even Better Dark Spot Corrector earlier this week. It typically takes around 4 weeks to see an improvement in dark marks, but I'll be sure to keep you all posted on the progression once I start seeing results!

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Wow, you all just gave me more ideas on what I'd like to try! I just dyed my hair a super light brown/almost blonde, so like Janine, I'll be keeping a bottle of the Bamboo Color Care UV+ Fade Proof Fluide nearby. Especially since I've been spending a lot of time poolside with my kids!

The other product I'm trying to get used to is the Benefit Hello Flawless Liquid Foundation in 'Cheers To Me' Champagne. Its a bit light for me, but it gives a night light coverage for day use. I just have to make sure I contour properly to give me a bit of a "fresh out of the sun" glow! Hopefully it stays in my makeup rotation

Re: What are you currently trying/testing?

Keely- I want to try wen too, just not sure. I too get oily hair sometimes and esp with the gym time it's wragged on my hair with all the washing.

Diana- mixing buck & smog- will have to try that!

I'm not currently testing anything, but I just got through testing a few things and have made up my mind about them!

Fresh Soy Cleanser- Gentle, good at taking off makeup even for eyes (but takes 2 tries for heavy makeup). However it burns my eyes sometimes. I must have really sensitive eyes or something, because the Korres milk cleanser also burns my eyes! Probably won't purchase again for that reason

Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask- Gentle, soothing and really helps sometimes because I have slight roseca if I overuse my clairsonic or sometimes after I use abrasive facial items like Philosophy Microdelivery peel or Boscia Black Mask. It smells kind of odd, but it calms the redness and this is a +++ for me. Also, a little goes a long way.

MUFE Smoky Lash Mascara- Clumpy, and really not that impressive. It doesn't do anything special for my eyes, and it's extremly clumpy coming out of the tube. Will not purchase again.

Ole Henrickson Truth Serum Collegen Booster- Didn't really see a difference in my skin. I've used a few of his products now and am not really impressed.

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I have been playing with bronzers. I never used bronzers before this summer when I received the Nars bronzer in Laguna and have been in love with ever since. I use it sometimes as a blush alone. Sometimes I use it to enhance my blush, and other times I use it all over my face to perk up my color. Beautiful and life changing! I just bought the Tokidoki Bronzer in Inferno from the store because it's on sale. It's a great color and looks fabulous on!

My impressions: These have good pigmentation, shine (satin, semi gloss), and hydration. The staying power is good as well. I've been layering these over lip pencil and I really don't need to reapply throughout the day.

I am picking up more colors for sure.

Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial

My impressions: I've only used this a few times. I stopped after each morning waking up with breakouts. I can't confirm it's this product, but after a few times I'm not sure I'm willing to continue to try.

I'm also not thrilled about the scent. I know the name says wild rose, but it has such a strong rose water scent that it's off putting. Especially before bed. This may go back. I never had issues with the Clinique even better dark spot erase.

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Despite my not delving into skincare, I have decided to test sunscreens for the body (not the face). I still have a few deluxe samples from the sun safety kit this year and the first contestant out of those is the Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Defense Moisture Lotion. Working out much better than the last SPF I tried. Very lightweight formula. The only draw back is the presence of oxybenzone (which wreaks havoc on my face).

Dislikes: Texture, bad smell. There's sunscreen smell and then there is, "This clashes with my body chemistry in a bad way." I was trying to figure out where this pre-chewed gum/body odor smell was coming from. Yuck. It might be due to Xylitol (why is a sweetener in sunscreen??) since a shiseido one was similar stink but not as nasty smelling. Which means not very dog friendly if they happen to kiss applied areas.

Result: Pitched in the trashcan. Also assuming Sephora might be phasing out of the product (since the regular size of the product seems not to be listed anymore) or it got reformulated/repackaged due to the new FDA SPF rules.

Re: What are you currently trying/testing?

I'm currently testing the new UD Smokey Eye palette, it's a bit of a stretch for me but so far I have been having fun with it, especially the grey colors. I've been using maltipoo's grey look and it is really perfect for that. Nice that it comes with a liner pencil rather than a brush as I have a ton of brushes. The zipper palette is so cute and it has so far stayed nice and tidy. The case is plastic so it wipes off easily, as opposed to NAKED 1, which is a pain to keep clean. (I don't know why UD doesn't just change the case on that one to plastic or metal and stop with the velvet.). I'm still debating whether it is good for travel, the size is nice, but I'm not sure if the case is up to being bounced around in my suitcase.

I've been trialing some samples lately, the Algenist serum sample I got is just so-so, I'm not going to get the full size. Other than that, I'm probably going to wait until fall to try new skincare as my skin is oily enough, I don't want to provoke it!

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I played around with my new polishes some, today. I tried out the Zoya polish in Zuza on my toes with broken shell nail art pieces, and I love it! The Zoya Opal fleck polish is nice, too, but the sun wasn't out when I took the picture to capture the effect.

Re: What are you currently trying/testing?

@ran8: I hear you on not deviating from your normal skincare routine -- I usually don't, either, but a few days ago I ran out of cleanser. I kept meaning to reorder it, but I forgot. I use SkinCeuticals Purifying Cleanser (formerly La Roche Posay Biomedic Purifying Cleanser -- I think they sold the formula to SkinCeuticals), but I have to order it online. Since it will take a few days to get here, I went to Sephora and bought what I thought might be a close substitute -- Anthony Logistics for Men Glycolic Facial Cleanser. I was kind of weirded out by the fact that it's a lotion cleanser, but who knows -- if I like it just as much as the other one, I might switch (I assumed it would be a clear liquid -- I always feel like lotion cleansers don't rinse as well, but I'm sure it's great...it has good reviews).

Other than that, I don't think I'm trying anything new...I did try out the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Coral when I was at the store. I didn't buy it, but I'm sure I will at some point. I really wanted to try out the new Bite Honey Lip Lacquers, but they weren't at the store yet.

Re: What are you currently trying/testing?

Update: Lesson learned. Disappointing results. I noticed last night how it accentuated redness and the first signs of congested skin. Was not terribly moisturizing either. Think I'll stick to the white efficient and A/I formulas. Maybe someone with more normal/combo skin might like the Ultime8 better. Sensitive may want to precaution before using (or avoid). Not recommended.

Should have known better since the first ingredient is corn oil. Kinda sad about it too since the delivery was faster than normal too. Back it goes.

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I am so guilty of hoarding my samples away and being afraid to try new things! I don't like to play with skincare as sometimes it can take AGES to get my skin back to normal. Right now my Korres Wild Rose Moisturizer is out so I opened a bottle of Garnier Oil Free moisturizer. For being oil free it's awfully moisturizing, almost too greasy feeling so we'll see the results in a few days.

I've also begun opening more palettes. I need to use them! Sometimes I don't have a single of the shadow I'm searching for and a palette is a great way to mix colors. My naked palette gives me the PERFECT brown shade when I mix Buck and Smog together.

I also purchased a few NYX liners and crayon liners which I'm loving! I wore each one to a different baseball game and despite the cold and wind, not ONE ran into or smudged up my contacts. Amazing!

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Makeup wise, I'm *really* into color sticks, pot rouges and cream blushes right now. I have Josie Maran Color Stick in Petal Pink, NARS Multiple in Riviera and Stila Convertible Color in Lillium and I love them all. I tend to wear very little makeup during the summer. On a simple day I typically just put on a moisturizing sunscreen (Mychelle or Lavanilla) and swipe a color stick on my lips and cheeks and I'm out the door feeling pretty. I already have my eye on collecting some more multiples and convertible colors, and I would really love to own a YSL cream blush and a Bobbi Brown pot rouge. Oh and I also saw a NARS cream blush on my last trip to Sephora. I think it was called Penney Lane, so pretty.

Skincare wise, I'm currently testing out FAB Ultra Repair Concentrate. I've been using it on my hands every night for a little over a week now. I love the texture, its like cake frosting. You only need a little and it melts into a oil when you rub it into hands. I wanted to try this on my face because I love the texture but there are no reviews from anyone that has used it on their face. People have used it on hands, feet and random dry spots on the body but no ones tried it on their face. I have normal, clean skin right now so I would never *ever* think about putting this on my face right now and risk breakouts (especially before my vacation) but this seems like such a great cream to use when my skin is dry. It nourishes my hands overnight. However, I dont care for the smell and I like Weleda Skin Food and Korres Guava Body Butter way better as a hand cream. I still might buy a full sized jar of this though, because I absolutely love the texture.

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Hi! I recently picked up a Clinique Chubby stick at a Clinique bonus in the shade Whoppin Watermelon. It's a nice color and I LOVE how moisturizing it is, but I feel like I need to reapply it every hour or two. I had heard something about the Revlon just bitten kissable lip stains being a sort of similar product, but more of a stain so the color lasts longer. Has anyone tried these out?Also, I've been loving my 4L plum eyeliner from MUFE. I was disappointed with the Urban Decay liners and thought I'd give these a shot-I'm not normally one to wear too bright colors, but this is such a great product that it's slowly pulling me out of my comfort zone.